Irish rugby fans hoping to get to Twickenham to cheer on Munster in Saturday's Heineken European Cup final are facing a travel crisis.
Those lucky enough to get match tickets are now facing air and ferry ticket problems. Planes, trains and automobiles: it doesn't matter, seats on any mode of transport are at a premium.
A spokesperson for Aer Lingus confirmed yesterday afternoon it had just one economy seat left on Saturday morning and that was on the 8.10 a.m. flight from Dublin to Gatwick. Mind you, by the time you read this, it may be gone.
At this juncture there are no seats for sale on any flight back on Saturday night and in the case of Aer Lingus, only a limited number on flights home on Sunday.
The Munster branch of the IRFU has sold 18,700 tickets for the game, 13,000 of which have been bought in Limerick.
Despite the London venue, Munster fans are expected to outnumber their Northampton counterparts by three to one, with Munster supporters boosted by a large number of English-based Irish fans. Up to yesterday, Northampton had sold 14,700 tickets.
Match organisers expect 64,000 for the game, breaking attendance records for a European Cup final.
The build-up to the game was under way in rugby-fanatical Limerick yesterday. Those who cannot make it to the match are making plans to maximise the enjoyment of the day and the public park at Arthur's Quay in Limerick will be the venue for a huge street party. There will be street theatre, a disco and a giant screen where people can watch the match.
"We are aware that many families would love to be in Twickenham but, for whatever reason, it is not possible," said organiser Mr Ray Lougheed. "The idea is to bring as much of the atmosphere of the match to the home of Munster rugby."